My New Blog

Greater Enlightenment

August 1st, 2012 2:36 PM

When selling a home it is common practice to have most lights on inside before any showings, and to make sure the blinds are open to let in as much light as possible. Proper illumination makes a home feel warm, inviting, and more open. But there are many other ways to present the home in a better light, and entice more buyers to take a second look.

Use clear lightbulbs for a cleaner look and place new incandescent lightbulbs in all fixtures, avoiding mismatched bulb types. Use halogen flood bulbs when possible for overhead lighting, as they are more energy efficient and don't emit the harsh glare that incandescent ones do. Use the highest wattage possible in most fixtures, except in bathrooms. Using 30 wt. bulbs in wall sconces or bathroom lights creates a softer setting.

Brush off dusty lamp shades, scoop up the dead flies and bugs lingering inside fixtures, and remove any cobwebs dangling from chandeliers. When all lights are turned on in a home, everything becomes more exposed, even the bugs!

Take more advantage of natural light by removing window screens and having windows clean both inside and out. Always have blinds and drapes open, but ideally, remove drapes and use mainly just blinds and valances. Curtains are really not much in style right now, but the clean, open look is.

Mirrors can be used to bounce light and make a home look brighter and its walls higher. Place a mirror opposite a lighting fixture to project more light into a room or to catch natural light entering through a window. Mirrors also work well in a dark area of a home and give the feeling of a window, when there really isn't one.

A recent real estate survey stated that "lightening and brightening" a home can offer the second biggest return to sellers at resale, only second to cleaning and decluttering. It is simple to do, inexpensive, and will get you the results you want. Do it right and let there be light!!